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Since Stan Lee and Marvel introduced Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962, everyone’s favorite webslinger has had a long career in comics, graphic novels, cartoons, movies, and even on Broadway. In this book some of history’s most powerful philosophers help us explore the enduring questions and issues surrounding this beloved superhero: Is Peter Parker to blame for the death of his uncle? Does great power really bring great responsibility? Can Spidey champion justice and be with Mary Jane at the same time? Finding your way through this web of inquiry, you’ll discover answers to these and many other thought-provoking questions.

Gives you a fresh perspective and insights on Peter Parker and Spider-Man’s story lines and ideas

Examines important philosophical issues and questions, such as: What is it to live a good life? Do our particular talents come with obligations? What role should friendship play in life? Is there any meaning to life?

Views Spider-Man through the lens of some of history’s most influential thinkers, from Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and Immanuel Kant to Nietszche, William James, Ayn Rand, and Alasdair MacIntyre

Table of Contents

Introduction

I. The Spectacular Life of Spider-Man?1. Neil Mussett: Does Peter Parker Have a Good Life?2. Taneli Kukkonen: What Price Atonement? Peter Parker and the Infinite Debt3. Mark D. White: “My Name is Peter Parker”: Unmasking the Right and the Good

II. Responsibility-Man4. Adam Barkman: “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility”: Spider-Man, Christian Ethics, and the Problem of Evil5. J. Keeping: Does Great Power Bring Great Responsibility? Spider-Man and the Good Samaritan6. Philip Tallon: With Great Power Comes Great Culpability: How Blameworthy is Spider-Man for Uncle Ben’s Death?

IV. Arachnids “R” Us: Technology and the Human, All Too Human10. Ron Novy: Transhumanism: Or, Is It Right to Make a Spider-Man?11. Jason Southworth and John Timm: Maximum Clonage: What the Clone Saga Can Teach Us About Human Cloning